Spotify Rolls Out Lossless Audio to Premium Subscribers
Key Points
- Lossless audio rollout begins on September 10 and runs through October.
- Available to Premium subscribers in over 50 regions, including the US, UK and Australia.
- Provides up to 24‑bit/44.1 kHz FLAC playback, surpassing CD quality.
- Nearly the entire Spotify catalog will be labeled as Lossless where available.
- Feature is free for Premium users, contrary to earlier speculation of a paid add‑on.
- Bluetooth bandwidth is insufficient; Spotify recommends Wi‑Fi or wired connections.
- Users must manually enable Lossless on each device via Settings → Media Quality.
- A Lossless indicator confirms high‑quality playback in the app’s interface.
Spotify has begun rolling out its long‑awaited Lossless audio tier to Premium users across more than 50 regions, including the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. The feature, offered at no extra charge, provides up to 24‑bit/44.1 kHz FLAC playback and will be available for the majority of the catalog. Users must manually enable Lossless on each device, and the service recommends streaming over Wi‑Fi or wired connections because Bluetooth bandwidth is currently insufficient. The rollout will continue through October.
Launch Overview
Spotify announced that its Lossless audio mode, a feature many users have requested for years, is now being rolled out to Premium subscribers. The rollout began on September 10 and is set to continue through October, covering more than 50 regions such as the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. Premium members receive a notification when Lossless becomes available on their account.
Feature Details
Lossless audio on Spotify delivers up to 24‑bit/44.1 kHz FLAC quality, which exceeds the standard CD specification of 16‑bit/44.1 kHz. Spotify describes this tier as “Lossless,” though technically it qualifies as hi‑res audio. The company states that nearly every track in its catalog will carry a clear “Lossless” label, indicating availability.
Spotify retains its existing audio quality settings—Low, Normal, High and Very High—allowing users to choose lower‑quality streams to conserve data or storage. The new Lossless tier is offered at no additional cost to Premium subscribers, contrary to earlier rumors of a paid add‑on.
Device Compatibility and Recommendations
The service supports Lossless playback on a range of devices, including mobile phones, tablets, desktops and compatible speakers that use Spotify Connect. Brands such as Sony, Bose and Sennheiser are mentioned as compatible. However, Spotify notes that current Bluetooth technology does not provide enough bandwidth for Lossless audio. Consequently, the company advises streaming over Wi‑Fi, using wired headphones or speakers, or any non‑Bluetooth connection that supports Spotify Connect.
Enabling Lossless
To activate Lossless, users must go to Settings → Media Quality within the Spotify app and select the new option. The setting must be enabled on each device individually. Once active, a Lossless indicator appears in the Now Playing view and the Connect Picker, confirming that the track is being streamed in the higher‑quality mode.
Impact on the Market
Spotify’s introduction of Lossless audio addresses a key demand that has driven some listeners to competing services offering high‑resolution streaming. By providing the feature for free to Premium members, Spotify aims to retain and attract audiophiles seeking higher fidelity without additional subscription tiers.